FOUR SIKKIM RESIDENTS FOUND DEAD IN TEESTA RIVER AFTER DAYS-LONG SEARCH; STATE MOURNS TRAGIC LOSS

KalimNews, June 7, 2026, Kalimpong: A wave of grief swept across Sikkim on Sunday after the bodies of four residents who had been missing since June 5 were recovered from a submerged vehicle pulled out of the Teesta River along National Highway 10 near Coronation Bridge.

The victims, all residents of Lingdok in East Sikkim, were identified as Sabya Neopaney (27), Smarika Neopaney (29), Tika Maya Dahal (31), and five-year-old Ditya Chettri. Sabya Neopaney was employed as a Junior Engineer in the Culture Department of the Government of Sikkim. He was travelling with his elder sister, Smarika Neopaney, who served as a Nursing Lecturer at Sochyagang Nursing College affiliated with STNM Hospital, Gangtok. The brother and sister were well known in their community for their professional achievements and public service. 

Also travelling with them was their relative, Tika Maya Dahal, an employee of the Horticulture Department of the Government of Sikkim. Accompanying her was her five-year-old daughter, Ditya Chettri, the youngest victim of the tragedy. The loss of the child has particularly touched hearts across the state, adding to the profound sorrow felt by the grieving families and local community.

The tragic discovery brought a heartbreaking end to an intensive search and rescue operation that had continued for nearly two days following the family's disappearance while travelling from Gangtok to Siliguri.

According to officials and family members, the four occupants were travelling in a black Tata Nexon bearing registration number SK 01 PC 9872 on June 5. They were reportedly heading to Siliguri to visit an ailing parent. The family remained in contact with relatives until they reached the Rambhi area along NH-10. Communication was subsequently lost sometime between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., prompting worried family members to make repeated attempts to contact them before eventually filing a missing persons report.

A large-scale search operation was immediately launched involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), West Bengal Police, West Bengal Traffic Police, the Teesta Rangit Rescue Centre (TRRC), local authorities, social workers, volunteers, and members of the victims' families. The search intensified after rescuers recovered vehicle debris, including a battery, bumper, and other parts, from a landslide-prone stretch of NH-10. These discoveries provided investigators with crucial clues regarding the possible location of the accident.

Subsequent investigations indicated that the vehicle had likely skidded off the highway near Kali Mandir after crossing Coronation Bridge. Preliminary findings suggest that heavy monsoon rains, accompanied by a landslide and flash flooding, may have swept the vehicle nearly 200 feet down the steep embankment into the swollen Teesta River.

On June 6, rescue teams succeeded in locating the missing vehicle approximately eight feet beneath the river's surface. Operations resumed early the following morning, and on June 7 the submerged Tata Nexon was finally lifted from the river. Tragically, all four occupants were found trapped inside the severely damaged vehicle.

Following the recovery operation, the bodies were transported to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri, where post-mortem examinations were conducted. Officials, rescue personnel, and well-wishers paid their respects before the mortal remains were handed over to family members for their final journey back to Sikkim.

Siliguri MLA and West Bengal Minister Shankar Ghosh personally visited the mortuary unit at NBMCH and consulted with medical authorities and officials to ensure that all legal procedures and formalities were completed without delay. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of all possible assistance. The minister also held a telephonic conversation with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), expressing his sympathies and reaffirming West Bengal's support during the difficult period.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, describing the loss as irreparable. On behalf of the Government and people of Sikkim, he extended heartfelt condolences to the families and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls. He also wished strength and courage for the grieving relatives as they face an immeasurable loss.

The Chief Minister acknowledged and appreciated the tireless efforts of the Government of West Bengal, West Bengal Police, Traffic Police, NDRF, SDRF, Teesta Rangit Rescue Centre, local residents, social workers, and volunteers whose coordinated efforts ultimately led to the recovery of the vehicle and its occupants.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Shri Tamang noted that the incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers associated with travel during the monsoon season. He urged the public to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary journeys during adverse weather conditions, stay informed about weather forecasts and road conditions, and strictly follow official safety advisories. Responsible travel practices and heightened vigilance, he emphasized, are essential to preventing similar tragedies and ensuring public safety during the rainy season.

As Sikkim mourns the untimely deaths of four of its residents, the tragedy has left an indelible mark on the collective conscience of the state. The loss of young lives, including that of a child, has sparked an outpouring of grief and solidarity, with prayers and tributes continuing to pour in from across the region.